An inquest has been opened into the death of an alleged murder victim.

Jobless Richard Petty, 34, was found stabbed to death in Billingham last month. He was declared dead by a doctor called to a seventh floor flat in Melsonby Court. Police launched a murder inquiry after Mr Petty's body was found on March 25. A post mortem established that he died from stab wounds.

ON April 6, we reported that Tony Burns, 47, and his wife Jane Burns, 44, of Heselden Avenue, Middlesbrough, were ordered at Teesside Crown Court to pay £3,000 compensation for interfering with the peace or comfort of occupiers under the Protection from Eviction Act. We would like to clarify that the sentence for each was a fine - £2,000 for Mr Burns, £1,000 for Mrs Burns, with £350 costs each. No compensation was ordered.